The Bishops of England & Wales COVID-19 Pandemic - 15th June 2020
The doors of our churches have been closed since 23rd March 2020, following the clear instruction from the Government, the Bishops of England and Wales have given permission for our churches to open for individual private prayer from 15th June 2020. Each of our churches will be open at specific times and will be fully compliant with current Government guidelines.
Fr Tom and Fr Sebastian will continue to celebrate Mass for the intentions of the parish but this will continue to be done in private, and livestreamed via YouTube.
Baptisms should be deferred until such time that the public health advice is that congregations can gather safely.
Confessions can be heard as long as hygiene and social distancing requirements are observed.
First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion celebrations should be postponed until a time that allows for families and friends to gather safely within our churches.
The celebrations of Confirmation should be deferred until such time that the public health advice is that congregations can resume public worship.
If possible, the celebration of the sacrament of Matrimony should be deferred until such time that people can gather in numbers safely. However, if this is not possible and only in the most pressing of circumstances, then those present for the marriage should be restricted to the celebrant, bride and groom and immediate family, and if necessary, the legal Registrar.
Anointing of the Sick - No pastoral visits should be made to people who are self-isolating until the isolation period ends. However, Fr Tom and Fr Sebastian can give phone support. When anointing the sick, the Oil of the Sick can be applied using a cotton bud which can be burned afterwards and the priest can then extend his hands over the sick person for laying on of hands, without physical contact. This has been confirmed as a valid mode of celebrating the sacraments which involve “laying on of hands.” Visits to people in care homes or hospitals should follow advice from the staff on infection control.
Funerals - The funeral service should take place at the graveside or at a crematorium, subject to the conditions laid down by the cemetery or crematorium authorities. Arrangements should be made for a Mass to be celebrated in memoriam when congregations are allowed to gather.
All meetings and functions in St Richard's, Our Lady of the Assumption and St Peter's will be cancelled until further notice.
Fr Tom and Fr Sebastian will continue to celebrate Mass for the intentions of the parish but this will continue to be done in private, and livestreamed via YouTube.
Baptisms should be deferred until such time that the public health advice is that congregations can gather safely.
Confessions can be heard as long as hygiene and social distancing requirements are observed.
First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion celebrations should be postponed until a time that allows for families and friends to gather safely within our churches.
The celebrations of Confirmation should be deferred until such time that the public health advice is that congregations can resume public worship.
If possible, the celebration of the sacrament of Matrimony should be deferred until such time that people can gather in numbers safely. However, if this is not possible and only in the most pressing of circumstances, then those present for the marriage should be restricted to the celebrant, bride and groom and immediate family, and if necessary, the legal Registrar.
Anointing of the Sick - No pastoral visits should be made to people who are self-isolating until the isolation period ends. However, Fr Tom and Fr Sebastian can give phone support. When anointing the sick, the Oil of the Sick can be applied using a cotton bud which can be burned afterwards and the priest can then extend his hands over the sick person for laying on of hands, without physical contact. This has been confirmed as a valid mode of celebrating the sacraments which involve “laying on of hands.” Visits to people in care homes or hospitals should follow advice from the staff on infection control.
Funerals - The funeral service should take place at the graveside or at a crematorium, subject to the conditions laid down by the cemetery or crematorium authorities. Arrangements should be made for a Mass to be celebrated in memoriam when congregations are allowed to gather.
All meetings and functions in St Richard's, Our Lady of the Assumption and St Peter's will be cancelled until further notice.